Combustion apparatus for furnaces



June 20, 1950 w. FERGUSON COMBUSTION APPARATUS FOR FURNACES 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 1, 1947 FIG. 3

JNVENTOR. WILLIAM FERGUSON -6THLQ, 1%?

ATTORNEY.

w. FERGUSON COMBUSTION APPARATUS FOR FURNACES June 20, 1950 Filed Dec.1, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

FIG.4

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RM H 0 T S N N U R E G O w n I E A Patented June 20, 1950 OFFICE.

COMBUSTION ArrARArus FOR FURNACES; willi'am ferguson, Philadelphia,gPai, assigznor to National .Airoil Burner Company, Incorporated,

Philadelphia, Pa a corpprationof Delaware Application December 1, 1947,Serial No."i"89}1 1 .7 Claims, (01'. M.

This invention relates to 'furnaces, and more particularly toimprovements in furnaces and burners therefor.

It has heretoforebeen proposed to provide center and single walltip-draft heaters, par ticularly for use in petroleum refineryprocesses, and in other heating processes where a substantial portion ofthe fuel heat is to be absorbed from flame radiation, 1

These furnaces have heretoiorebeen fired by gas burners directedupwardly. The. gas burners were not, however, readily removable forinspection and repair while the furnace was in op-. eration.

No satisfactory provision has heretofore been made for the use of oil.fuel firing heaters of this type. i

It is desirable, in modern refinery practice, that provisions lee-madein the iurnacetosatisfactoril-y burn liquid or gaseous fuel, as desired.d

It is the principal object,- therefore, of the present invention topro-vide a furnace and burners therefor which are suitable for thecornbustion of gaseous iuel-or oil, as desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedfurnace and burner construction for burning gaseous fuel or .oil and inwhich substantially the same flarne .pattern may be providedwitheithertype of fuel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an-improvedfurnace and burner construction with provisions for burning gaseous fuelor oil, as desired, and in which operation with either of the :tuels maybe effected, as

desired, without damage or injury to either burner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide animprovedfurnace and burner construction in which a plurality of burners areprovided for combustion of oilzand-gaseous fuel in which the burners arearranged in series to insure a better character of combustion, as wellas stable ignition over a wide range of capacity.

.It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedfurnace and humor construction with provisions for pairs ofburners, oneof each pair toroil and one of 1 each pair for gas fuel, and in whicheitheraburner of the pair may be withdrawn ior'i-nspection-and repairwhile theother burner is "in operation.

It is a further objectof the present invention to provide an improvedfurnace and; burner construction with provisions for burning gaseousfuel and oil, as desired, and in which the burner housing is protectedagainst overheating.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improvedfurnace an'diburner construction in which a plurality of refractorythroats are provided in series. for accommodatingbur-ners-for-oilandl-gasfuel andlin which the s areas-ref, the throatsrcorrespond withthe (optimum flame cross-section.

Other :objeots and ,::advantageous features of the 'inventionwi'llbeapparent "from therspecb fication.

The-nature and rcharacteristic features or the inventionfwill be more.readily understood from the @OHOWi'Il'g description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings formingwpart hereolflinwhicha Figure 1:15 a. vertical sectional view through a ifu rnalcewin accordance.WiilhwiJhE present in vention, and nillustratingwthe construction, ,1arrangement of thehumers for oil and for gaseous fuel;

:Fig. 12 is :a sectional view taken approximately on the Iline -2--2 0fFig.1:

Fig.3;i-s'ap1an View of onset the-burner ele ments employed [connection'withthe present in-vention;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, enlarged, or a portion of another of theburner elements employed ri'Ilrl'JfOHllfi'OtiOl'l with the presentinvention;

, r Fig. '5 is a front view, partly in elevationand partly inverticalsection, of the burner element shownii-n :Fig. 4a; and

Fig, -6 is s rverticalsectional view taken approximately on the time 6 6'of Fig. 5.

It wish-amid, oi-coursegbe understood that the description :an mdrawinssherein are illustrative merely, and: that, various "modifications andchanges :may in the structure disclosed without iqdeparting Ji'rom; thespirit of the invention.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughoutthe several views.

Referring now more particularlyto the drawingsyin-tvhich a preterredembodiment of the invention is illustrated, a furnace is showninp'artwhich includes :avertical front wall 1 0, and a verticaliwall Hpahailelltolthe front wall Ill. The wall ll 'maybe the side-or rearrwallor the center wall :of :an :updra-ftiheater 'or furnace of conven-="tional typei One *of thevertical end walls is illustrated at .1 2. The'walls H], H and 12 are of suitable refractorymaterial. The lowermosttube :of a series of tubesito beheate'd is shown at '9.

The furnace is supported upon :a foundation or horizontal floor 13 andspaced upwardly therefromwhorizontal walls and 15 are provided. Inthespacelbetween thenfl'oor I 31and'the wall I, and extending,rfiorwardly .irom the wall I l a plurality of spaced wertica-l wallsi l6 are provided, the passageways therehetween constituting lower airduets?! El, foripui'poses to'rbe explained.

lSimiiar-lygintheIspace between'the wall 14 and thefiwal-l15Aanol-extending forwardly :from the wall hl-saplura'litya'of spacedvertical walls l8 are providedmthe passageways therebetwe'enconstituting upper: air ducts ill, .for purposes to be explained. Spacedforwardly from the front wall ID, a front wall plate 20 is provided inwhich adjustable lower air doors 2! are carried for regulating thesupply of air to the lower air ducts l1 and adjustable upper air doors22 are carried for regulating the supply of air to the upper airductsIS.

The furnace is provided, in accordance with its size, with a pluralityof pairs of upper and lower air ducts l9 and I! between theend wallsthereof, although for purposes of explanation only two pairs of ductshave been illustrated.

The horizontal wall 14 is provided at the wall I I with lower burnerblocks 25 of refractory material, supported by the wall l4 and the wallll, one burner block 25 being employed for each air duct I1. Each of theburner blocks 25 has a central opening or throat 26. The openings orthroats 26, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are inclined from the vertical,preferably at an angle of the order of 10 degrees with} respect to thewall H and are flaring, as illustrated in Fig. '2, from the lowerto theupper ends thereof to provide a flaring flame pattern.

Upper burner blocks 21 are also provided of refractory material, in thewall i at the Wall H and are supported by the walls I I, I5 and I8, one

' block 21 being provided for each air duct l9.

Each of the upper burner blocks 21 also has a central opening or throat28 at the same inclination as the opening 26 and alined therewith, andflaring, as indicated in Fig. 2, with the side margins of the openingsor throats '28 substantially in alinement with the corresponding marginsof the openings or throats 26 of the lower burner blocks 25.

An oil burner element 30 is provided for each of the lower ducts Hand isremovably mounted therein. Each of the oil burner elements includes anoil supply pipe 3!, connected to anysuitable supply of oil to be firedand to a manifold 32, a control valve 33 being provided in the supplypipe 3! for controlling the quantity of oil supplied.

A fluid connection 34 is provided, connected to a suitable source ofatomizing fluid such as steam or air under pressure and to the manifold32. A control valve 35 is provided in the fluid connection 34 forcontrolling the quantity of atomizing fluid. The manifold 32 has abypass valve 36 therein. The 'manifoldhas an. oil delivery pipe 31 andan atomizing fluid delivery pipe 38 connected thereto, the otherterminal ends of the pipes 31 and 38 being-connected by swivel joints toan atomizing .The pipes :3! and: 38 .are preferably secured to suitablesupports'fll and 42 which are slidable in channels 43in eachof the ductsH. The support.42 is preferably provided with an upwardly extendingplate Min which is carried a threaded adjusting rod'45. The rod 45 has acollar 46 in engagement with-the nozzle 40 and nuts 41 on .therod 46permit ofadjustment of the inclination-of the nozzle 40.- I

The nozzle-140 is ,preferably adjusted to the desired angle ofinclination and in conformity -with the inclination-of the openings orthroats 26 and 28 inzthe lower. and upper-burner blocks 25 and 21 and iscentered with respect thereto.

A front cover plate 55 is provided, preferably removably mountedon thefront wall plate 20 for permitting the withdrawal of the burner element3!] as desired'and as hereinafter explained. ,A,gas burner'element 55 isprovided for each of ,the upper cair ducts l9. The burner element 55 ispreferably:aninspirating gas burner of the 4 conventional Venturi typeand in which from 40 to percent of the total air for combustion of thegas, depending on the gas pressure, is drawn into the Venturi section56.

A gas supply pipe 51 is provided, connected to the Venturi section 56 atone end, an air inlet I adjusting plate 58 being mounted on the Venturisection 56. The plate 58 is adapted to be positioned to determine thequantity of air admitted to the Venturisection 56 by a threaded rod 59carried in a plate 50 mounted on the pipe 51 outside the wall plate 20and rotated by a handle 6|. A handle 52 is also mounted on the pipe 51for positioning the burner element 55 in the duct l9.

The Venturi section 55 has connected to the other end a pipe nipple 65,of a length in accordance with the particularfurnace, and on the outerend of the nipple 65 a manifold burner casing 66 is mounted andsupported. The manifold burner casing 55 is provided with an upper wall61 in which a plurality of main circular ports or orifices 58 areprovided, the orifices 58 preferably being alined in one plane and alsobeing disposed at an inclination to provide an approximately flat sheetof flame. Adjacent the ports or orifices 68 a plurality of smaller ports69 are provided to'emit and direct suflicient of the gasair mixture at alower velocity against the gas discharged through theopenings 68 forinsuring ignition.

The exterior of the casing 66 and particularly the top wall 6'? thereofis preferably provided with a coating of refractory heat insulatingplastic material 53, in suitable recesses in the upper face of the topwall 67, to prevent overheating of the casing 65. The casing 56 is alsoprovided with a vertical wall 64 having a boss m for the reception of amounting stud H in engagement with a boss 12 on a vertically disposedmanifold burner shield 13. The exposed surface of the shield 13 isrecessed and is provided with refractory insulating material M forscreening the manifold casing 66 from excessive heat radiation, ashereinafter explained.

The burner element 55 is supported by spaced supports 15 in engagementtherewith, which are adapted to slide upon a channel 16 on the lowerwall of the duct Q9. The burner element 55 is adapted to be positionedby movement thereof by the handle 62 to a position with the openings '68in alinement with and centrally at the throat 2B, or withdrawn to aposition indicated in broken lines in Fig. l, in which the burner casing66 is protected by the shield 73 which substantially closes the duct IS.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

When it is desired to supply heat to the furnace and particularly forheating the wall H for emitting radiant heat either of the burner units30 or 55 of each pair may be employed. If it is desired to utilizeoilfor fuel, the burner unit 35 is positioned as indicated in Fig. l andthe gas burner unit 55 is withdrawn so that the casing 65 is in theposition indicated in broken lines. Oil supplied through the pipe 3! andatomizing fluid supplied through the pipe 34 are delivered to the nozzle50 for discharge therefrom in a flat pattern. A part or all of the airrequired for combustion may be introduced through the lower duct I? bysuitable adjustment of the door 2! and, if desired, a part of the airfor combustion may be supplied through the duct H? as determined by thepositioning of the door 22. The

air-entering the furnace through the duct 19 mixes with the advancingstream passing from the throat 26 to the throat Z8 and in so doing aidsin cooling the casing 66 which is protected from the heating effect ofthe radiant heat by the shield 13. If at any time it is desired to purgethe oil in the pipe 31 this may be done by closing the valve 33 andopening the valve 36 to pass the atomizing fluid through the pipe 3'1.

If, on the other hand, it is desired to heat the furnace with gas fuel,the burner unit 65 is positioned as indicated in Fig. l with theopenings 68 at the proper positions with respect. to the throat 28. Gassupplied from the pipe 51 is delivered to the Venturi section 5 whereair is inspirated in accordance with the positioning of the plate 56 andmixed with the gas for delivery through the nipple 65 to the casing Theflame from the gas-air mixture discharged through the openings 68,passes upwardly through the throat 28. Air is dmitted through the ductIS in accordance with the positioning of the door 22 for supplying theadditional air as required for combustion of the gas-air mixture.

If desired, also, air may be admitted through the duct II, as determinedby the positioning of the door 2i, for additional cooling of the easing66 and for aiding in the completion of combustion of the gas-airmixture.

It will be noted that either of the burner elements 30 or 55 may beemployed, as desired, without damage by heat to the burner element whichis not in use. At the same time adequate provision is made for theintroduction of air for combustion, which air may also be utilized forcooling the casing 66 of the burner element 55. At the same time theflame pattern from either of the burners is accommodated and directed atthe desired inclination.

I claim: I

1. In a furnace, spaced Walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in verticalpairs, members for controlling the delivery of air into each of saidducts, burner blocks at the inner ends of said ducts having throatportions in alinement, a fuel burner mounted in one of said ducts ofeach pair and having a discharge portion for alinement with one ofthroat portions, the other of the ducts of each pair being adapted toreceive another fuel burner, and said other fuel burner having adischarge portion for alinement with the other of said throat portions.

2. In a furnace, spaced Walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of air ducts in pairs, members for controlling thedelivery of air into each of said ducts, burner blocks at the inner endsof said ducts having throat portions in alinement, a fuel burnerretractably mounted in one of the ducts of a pair and having a dischargeportion for alinement with one of said throat portions, the other ofsaid air ducts of each pair being adapted to receive another retractablefuel burner, and said other fuel burner having a discharge portion foralinement with the other of said throat portions.

3. Inafurnace,spacedwalls at the lower portion of said furnace providinga plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in vertical pairs,members for controlling the delivery of air into each of said ducts,vertically spaced burner blocks at the inner ends of each of said ducts,said burner blocks of each pair having throat portions in alinement andat an inclination with respect to the vertical, 9. burner in one of theducts of each pair having a, discharge portion for alinement with one ofsaid throat portions, the other of said ducts of each pair being adaptedto receive another fuel burner, and said other fuel burner having adischarge portion for alinement with the other of said throat portions.

4. In a furnace, spaced walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in verticalpairs, members for controlling the delivery of air into each or saidducts, a burner in the lower of the ducts of each pair, and means forcontrolling the flame pattern from said burner including burner blocksfor each of said air ducts vertically spaced in each pair, the upper ofsaid ai ducts being adapted to receive another fuel burner, said otherfuel burner having a discharge portion for alinement with said throatportions.

5. In a furnace, spaced walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in verticalpairs, members for controlling the delivery of air into each of saidducts, a fuel burner retractably mounted in one of said ducts of eachpair, the other of the air ducts being adapted to receive another fuelburner, and means for controlling the flame pattern from said burnersincluding vertically spaced burner blocks for each of said air ductshaving spaced throats, said throats having substantially alined flaringmarginal walls.

6. In a furnace, spaced walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in verticalpairs, members for controlling the delivery of air into said ducts, afuel burner retractably mounted in one of said ducts of each pair, theother of said ducts of each pair being adapted to receive another fuelburner, and means for controlling the flame pattern from said burnersincluding spaced burner blocks for each of said air ducts, said burnerblocks having throats in alinement and at an inclination with respect tothe vertical and with substantially alined flaring marginal walls.

7. In a furnace, spaced walls at the lower portion of the furnaceproviding a plurality of horizontally disposed air ducts in verticalpairs, members for controlling the delivery of air into each of saidducts, burner blocks at the inner ends of said ducts having throatportions in alinement, a burner retractably mounted in one of said ductsof each pair and having a discharge portion for alinement with one ofsaid throat portions, the other of the ducts of each pair being adaptedto receive another retractable fuel burner, said other fuel burnerhaving a discharge portion for alinement with another of said throatportions, and one of said fuel burners having a shielded end portion forsubstantially closing the duct in which it is disposed in retractedposition.

WILLIAM FERGUSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,447,337 Bitgood Mar. 6, 19231,565,048 Bitgood Dec. 8, 1925 1,622,595 Lewis, et al Mar, 29, 19271,743,129 Gilbert Jan. 14, 1930 1,917,068 Scott July 4, 1933 1,995,723Van Denberg Mar. 26, 1935 2,076,854 Mekler Apr. 13, 937 2,221,469 BrandtNov. 12, 1940

